You’d be forgiven for mistaking the vastness of Lake Mulwala as one of nature’s many impressive signatures along the Murray River. But this idyllic stretch – roughly a quarter of the size of Sydney Harbour – is actually a man-made reservoir resulting from the construction of the Yarrawonga Weir in 1939, which was built to irrigate the surrounding plains.

Interestingly, it was also intended to be a picturesque lake – which is very much what you’ll discover today. Admire the ghostly river red gums or a postcard-worthy sunset from one of several recreation areas dotted along the foreshore, many of them equipped with barbeque facilities, playgrounds and more.

Adventurous types can take to the lake on a stand-up paddleboard, kayak or even a banana ride. But gliding through the waters in a tinnie, luxury boat or a restored classic like the P.S. Cumberoona tops the list of Mulwala’s water-based activities. If you’re angling for the famous Murray cod, you can take part in a guided fishing tour with the experts. Cod are notoriously elusive, so you’ll need all the help you can get.